Although gardening stores often sell a range of insecticides, you can actually get rid of insects on fruit trees with products you probably have at home. Homemade insect control can save you money, and homemade remedies are often more natural than store-bought ones. It is important to keep in mind, however, that homemade insecticides are not necessarily harmless; they can still contain toxic chemicals that may harm pets or children.

Homemade Oil-Soap Spray

Gardening stores often sell insecticidal soap sprays, but you can make your own. Experts at Oregon State University recommend mixing 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing soap per cup of water. This spray will help with aphids, mites, scales and other insects that have very small breathing holes. To use it, spray the fruit tree leaves thoroughly, and then wash the soap away after a few hours. You can also use 3 tablespoons of dishwashing soap or 2 tablespoons of baby shampoo per gallon of water.

Peppermint Oil Spray

Peppermint oil spray repels ants and gets rid of other hard-bodied insects. Oregon State University recommends mixing one part peppermint oil with 10 parts water to produce a spray that gets rid of ants. Experts at the University of Hawaii suggest a similar mixture containing 2 tablespoons of liquid soap, 2 tablespoons of peppermint oil and 1 gallon of water to get rid of insects with hard bodies, such as weevils. The peppermint oil helps the mixture penetrate insect shells, while the soap reduces surface tension and helps the mixture smother insects.

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Hot Peppers

Many insects will avoid hot peppers. To produce a spray that wards off Japanese beetles, boil 1/2 cup cayenne pepper and 1/2 cup jalapeños in a pot of water. Strain out the peppers, and spray the trees with the remaining water to repel the beetles. A spray made from 1 teaspoon of soap, 1 tablespoon of hot pepper, six cloves of garlic, 1 minced onion and 1 gallon of water blended together will repel a variety of insects. It will affect aphids and other insects killed by soap sprays, as well as caterpillars, hornworms, cabbage worms and other insects that avoid pepper.

Precautions

Soap may burn fruit tree leaves, so check them for damage and wash away soap sprays after a few hours without rain. Don't apply insecticides containing oil during the sunny part of the day or it could burn the leaves. It is also important to keep in mind that some recommended homemade insect control methods can be effective but potentially hazardous. For example, cooked rhubarb leaves release oxalic acid, which works well to control aphids. Rhubarb leaves, however, are toxic to humans. If you choose to use a homemade insecticide containing rhubarb, do not spray it where children may consume it and wash fruit thoroughly before consuming it. Solutions containing tobacco and chrysanthemum flowers can also be toxic.

References

About the Author

Lisa Chinn developed her research skills while working at a research university library. She writes for numerous publications, specializing in gardening, home care, wellness, copywriting, style and travel. Chinn also designs marketing materials, holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and is working toward a PhD in cognitive neuroscience.